Fed's Kashkari on rates – watching the ripple effect

Kashkari out there this morning basically saying they're not done, rates might need to go higher, faster. Pretty much echoing what we've been hearing, but hearing it again always sharpens the focus. This constant hawkish drumbeat keeps me anchored to the idea that any significant bounce in equities is likely to be short-lived. The market still feels like it's pricing in a soft landing that just isn't showing up in the data consistently enough. I’m looking at the yield curve again, particularly the shorter end, and it’s just confirming my cautious stance.

My watchlist is heavily skewed towards names with strong free cash flow and low debt, the kind that can weather higher borrowing costs. Tech, especially the growthier end, feels vulnerable here. Even crypto, though it has its own drivers, can't completely escape the tightening liquidity. I saw $LUNA is still at 1.26 today, completely flat, which honestly tells you nothing other than it's dead money for now. Not touching that with a ten-foot pole. Focus is on capital preservation and waiting for clearer signals, because right now, 'higher for longer' isn't just a meme, it's the operating principle.